For one of my A Level subjects I chose English Literature. I did that because, apparently, I love reading, and, apparently, I’m good at the subject even though I thought I completely screwed up the final exam (you don’t know how worried I was about that result – I got an A overall). I didn’t do it because I wanted to read Jane Austen. In fact, I didn’t really want to read Jane Austen. I’m all for classic literature, but seriously, how boring does that book sound?
Usually I finish a book within a week or so. Less if I’m really engrossed in it. But this book took me over three weeks, and that wasn’t just because of the other work I had to get done. It really was that boring.
Includes some spoilers.
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I won’t hide it – Jodi Picoult is my favourite author of the moment. Her books are clever, deep, thoughtful and emotional. Her characters are almost always well-rounded and developed to the point that they start being real people, and the plots always include unforgettable twists and moments where you want to express your bottled emotions out loud due to something that has happened within the story that engrossed you to the point of reality. My Sister’s Keeper was never an exception; it was the third Jodi Picoult book I picked up and read, and even though I can’t say that it was/is my favourite of hers, it still had one of the greatest impacts on me emotionally.
Films made from books are never as good, for many reasons. They leave things out. They change plot points, ditch and remould characters, and usually rush too fast through the story for the audience to actually understand what’s happening. I was gearing myself up, not for a disappointment, but for an average viewing of an average (or less) attempt at trying to bring one of the best books to screen. But now, after having seen the film, I can safely say that, for the first time ever, I have nothing to complain about. Not even the ending.
Spoilers – book and film – beneath.
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I have been incredibly sceptical about this game since we found out that it was going to be released. Everything that EA told us made my skin crawl – nothing about it, and I mean nothing, really excited me. It sounded as though they were going to move so far away from the original two Sims games in terms of gameplay, and the very thought worried me. My biggest love in the world (or something) is the Sims 2 and my legacy, and in my eyes, nothing could be better than it.
Our pre-ordered collectors’ edition came through the post today, and after a long-winded installation (which was only to be expected, seeing how big the game is) that, thankfully, didn’t take as long as the Sims 2 (four friggin CDs, may I add… but at least they gave us a mini-game to play), my Sim-playing partner and I (my mother) have been trying out the game. For those who are interested, below the cut is a run-down of everything I’ve found so far (note, so-far).
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